New Orleans Pelicans

While the New Orleans Pelicans are still a couple of years away from reaching their full potential and being real threats in the Western Conference, who will want to have to gameplan for a “winner takes all” type of game against Zion Williamson? The guy is virtually unguardable and a Game 7 type of feel to the play-in tournament, good luck stopping Zion. 

In his second season in the NBA, Zion Williamson made his first NBA All-Star appearance, starting in the game at just 20-years-old, and he has been on a tear for the Pelicans since the All-Star break. In 17 games since the All-Star game, Zion has scored 20+ points in 16 of the 17 games, including 8 games with 30+ points. 

With Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball also by his side, the New Orleans Pelicans are a sneaky, dangerous team, but they still have a lot of work to do. They currently find themselves on the outside of the play-in game tournament looking in, as they are a game behind the Golden State Warriors for the 10-seed in the Western Conference. 

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Of the 18 games remaining on the Pelicans’ schedule, only seven of these games are against teams with a sub .500 record, but three of these games are against the Golden State Warriors. New Orleans will play them three times within a week and a half, which could decide the 10-seed in the Western Conference. 

If the New Orleans Pelicans do make the play-in tournament, they are going to be a formidable opponent for whoever has to play them and if they reach the NBA playoffs as the 8-seed, then the top seed in the Western Conference will have their hands full trying to game-plan to stop Zion Williamson.